Data broadcast playback control device, data broadcast playback control method data broadcast playback control program, and recording medium recording program thereon

ABSTRACT

During reception of data broadcast, the control information is created by a control information creator for storage into a first storage. During normal reproduction of the data content stored in the first storage, the data content of the data broadcast being reproduced and the control information are stored in a second storage. During special reproduction of the data content stored in the first storage or after the special reproduction is stopped, the control information stored in the second storage is compared with the control information read out from the first storage during the special reproduction or after the special reproduction is stopped. When the control information stored in the second storage and the control information read out from the first storage coincide with each other, the data broadcast continues to be reproduced using the data content stored in the second storage.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a data broadcast reproductioncontroller, a method for controlling data broadcast reproduction, a databroadcast reproduction control program, and a recording medium recordingthe same.

BACKGROUND ART

In the digital broadcast service, data broadcasting is available alongwith television or audio broadcasting. A data broadcast reproductioncontroller for recording and reproducing data broadcast has beendeveloped (JP 2001-257989 A, for example).

The data broadcast reproduction controller has functions of receivingdata broadcast and recording data content of the received databroadcast, and also reproducing the recorded data content of the databroadcast.

With such a data broadcast reproduction controller, the data broadcastcan be special-reproduced, such as fast-forwarding or fast-rewinding. Asa method for the special-reproduction of pictures, a method has beenproposed, for example, in which only an I-picture is detected from avideo stream for frame advance of still pictures.

In the special reproduction of data broadcast, however, the controlinformation related to data broadcast is missing from a TS (TransportStream) packet. For this reason, after the special reproduction of databroadcast, it is necessary to reboot the data broadcast in order toreacquire the data content thereof.

One possible approach for this is to control the reproduction of databroadcast, by utilizing the version information of data broadcastdescribed in SIT (Selection Information Table) of a partial TS packet.The cycle of delivering SIT, however, is as long as about three seconds,so that it is insufficient to control the reproduction of the databroadcast after the special reproduction.

As stated above, in the conventional data broadcast reproductioncontroller, the data broadcast is rebooted for each specialreproduction, so that after special reproduction, the data broadcast isreproduced again from its beginning. Therefore, in order for a user toview a continuation of the data broadcast that he or she has beenviewing before the special reproduction, he or she needs to performagain, at the end of the special reproduction, operation procedures thathave been done before the special reproduction. The user cannot view thedata broadcast during the special reproduction of the data broadcast.

It is also necessary to reacquire the data content of data broadcastwhen the user switches a receiving channel to another one, and thenreturns the channel to the original one while receiving a particularchannel of the data broadcast. Therefore, for the user to view acontinuation of the data broadcast that he or she has been viewingbefore switching a channel, the user is required to perform again theoperation procedures done before the switching of the channel.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a data broadcastreproduction controller, a method for controlling the reproduction ofdata broadcast, a data broadcast reproduction control program, and arecording medium recording the same enabling the data broadcast that hasbeen viewed during first reproduction to be continuously viewed duringsecond reproduction.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a databroadcast reproduction controller, a method for controlling thereproduction of data broadcast, a data broadcast reproduction controlprogram, and a recording medium recording the same enabling the databroadcast that has been viewed during first reception to be continuouslyviewed during second reception.

A data broadcast reproduction controller according to one aspect of thepresent invention for controlling the reproduction of data broadcastincluding one or more data contents, comprises: a receiver that receivesdata content of data broadcast and related information attached to thedata broadcast; a first storage that stores the data content of the databroadcast received by the receiver; a reproducer that reproduces thedata content of the data broadcast stored in the first storage; acontrol information creator that creates control information foridentifying the data content of the data broadcast based on giveninformation included in the data content of the data broadcast receivedby the receiver or reproduced by the reproducer and/or the relatedinformation; a second storage that stores, during first reproduction bythe reproducer, the data content of the data broadcast acquired from thefirst storage and control information corresponding to the data content;a determiner that determines, during a second reproduction by thereproducer, whether or not the control information stored in the secondstorage and the control information corresponding to the data content ofthe data broadcast to be reproduced coincide with each other; and acontroller that controls the reproducer to reproduce the data broadcast,using the data content stored in the second storage, when the determinerdetermines that the control information stored in the second storage andthe control information corresponding to the data content of the databroadcast to be reproduced coincide with each other.

In the data broadcast reproduction controller according to the presentinvention, the data content of data broadcast and the relatedinformation attached to the data broadcast are received, and the datacontent of the received data broadcast is stored in the first storage.In addition, the data content of the data broadcast stored in the firststorage is reproduced. Based on the given information included in thedata content of the received or reproduced data broadcast and/or therelated information, the control information for identifying the datacontent of data broadcast is created.

During the first reproduction, the data content of the data broadcastacquired from the first storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content is stored in the second storage.During the second reproduction, it is determined whether or not thecontrol information stored in the second storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content of the data broadcast tobe reproduced coincide with each other. When the control informationstored in the second storage and the control information correspondingto the data content of the data broadcast to be reproduced coincide witheach other, the data broadcast is reproduced, using the data contentstored in the second storage.

In this manner, during the second reproduction, the data broadcast isreproduced using the data content of the data broadcast stored in thesecond storage, so that a user can view the data broadcast he or she hasbeen viewing during the first reproduction continuously during thesecond reproduction.

The control information creator may create control information based ongiven information included in the data content of the data broadcastreceived by the receiver and/or the related information, and store thecreated control information to the first storage.

In this case, the control information is created based on the giveninformation included in the data content of the received data broadcastand/or the related information, and the created control information isstored in the first storage.

The control information creator may create control information based ongiven information included in the data content of the data broadcastreceived by the receiver and/or the related information.

In this case, the control information is created at the time of a changein at least some of the information of the received data broadcast or atgiven update timing.

The control information creator may store, during the first reproductionby the reproducer, the data content of the data broadcast acquired fromthe first storage and the control information corresponding to the datacontent into the second storage.

In this case, during the first reproduction, the data content of thedata broadcast acquired from the first storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content are stored in the secondstorage.

The determiner may determine, during the second reproduction by thereproducer, whether or not the control information stored in the secondstorage and the control information stored in the first storage coincidewith each other.

In this case, it is determined, during the second reproduction, whetheror not the control information stored in the second storage and thecontrol information stored in the first storage coincide with eachother.

The control information creator may store, at the time of a change in atleast some of the information of the data broadcast reproduced duringthe first reproduction by the reproducer, the data content of the databroadcast acquired from the first storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content into the second storage.

In this case, when at least some of the information of the databroadcast reproduced during the first reproduction has changed, the datacontent of the data broadcast acquired from the first storage and thecontrol information corresponding to the data content are stored in thesecond storage.

The determiner may determine, during the second reproduction by thereproducer, whether or not the control information stored in the secondstorage and the control information stored in the first storage coincidewith each other.

In this case, it is determined, during the second reproduction, whetheror not the control information stored in the second storage and thecontrol information stored in the first storage coincide with eachother.

The control information creator may, during the first reproduction bythe reproducer, create control information based on given informationincluded in the data content of the data broadcast acquired from thefirst storage and/or the related information, and store the createdcontrol information into the second storage.

In this case, during the first reproduction, the control information iscreated based on the given information included in the data content ofthe data broadcast acquired from the first storage and/or the relatedinformation, for storage into the second storage.

The control information creator may store, at the time of a change in atleast some of the information of the data broadcast reproduced duringthe first reproduction by the reproducer, the data content of the databroadcast acquired from the first storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content into the second storage.

In this case, when at least some of the information of the databroadcast reproduced during the first reproduction has changed, the datacontent of the data broadcast acquired from the first storage and thecontrol information corresponding to the data content are stored intothe second storage.

The control information creator may create, during the secondreproduction by the reproducer, control information based on giveninformation included in the data content of the data broadcast acquiredfrom the first storage and/or the related information, and thedeterminer may determine, during the second reproduction by thereproducer, whether or not the control information stored in the secondstorage and the control information created by the control informationcreator coincide with each other.

In this case, during the second reproduction, the control information iscreated based on the given information included in the data content ofthe data broadcast acquired from the first storage and/or the relatedinformation, and it is determined whether or not the control informationstored in the second storage and the control information created by thecontrol information creator coincide with each other.

The second reproduction may include reproduction at a different speedfrom that of the first reproduction. In this case, the user can view,during and after special reproduction at a different speed from that ofthe first reproduction, the data broadcast he or she has been viewingbefore the special reproduction.

The given information included in the data content of data broadcastand/or the related information may include content-reference informationdescribed in a data script. In this case, control information is createdbased on the content-reference information described in the data script.

A data broadcast reproduction controller according to another aspect ofthe present invention for controlling the reproduction of data broadcastincluding one or more data contents comprises: a receiver that receivesthe data content of data broadcast and related information attached tothe data broadcast; a first storage that stores the data content of thedata broadcast received by the receiver; a reproducer that reproducersthe data content of the data broadcast received by the receiver; acontrol information creator that creates control information foridentifying the data content of the data broadcast based on giveninformation included in the data content of the data broadcast receivedby the receiver and/or the related information; a second storage thatstores, during first reception by the receiver, the data content of thedata broadcast acquired from the first storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content; a determiner thatdetermines, during second reception by the receiver, whether or not thecontrol information stored in the second storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content of the data broadcastreceived by the receiver coincide with each other; and a controller thatcontrols the reproducer to reproduce data broadcast, using the datacontent stored in the second storage, when the determiner determinesthat the control information stored in the second storage and thecontrol information corresponding to the data content of the databroadcast received by the receiver coincide with each other.

In the data broadcast reproduction controller according to the presentinvention, the data content of data broadcast and the relatedinformation attached to the data broadcast are received, and the datacontent of the received data broadcast is stored in the first storage.In addition, the data content of the received data broadcast isreproduced. Based on the given information included in the data contentof the received data broadcast and/or the related information, thecontrol information for identifying the data content of data broadcastis created.

During the first reception, the data content of the data broadcastreceived from the first storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content are stored in the second storage.During the second reception, it is determined whether or not the controlinformation stored in the second storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content of the received data broadcastcoincide with each other. When the control information stored in thesecond storage and the control information corresponding to the datacontent of the received data broadcast coincide with each other, thedata broadcast is reproduced, using the data content stored in thesecond storage.

In this manner, during the second reception, the data broadcast can bereproduced using the data content stored in the second storage, so thatthe user can view the data broadcast he or she has been viewing duringthe first reception continuously during the second reception.

The control information creator may create control information at thetime of a change in at least some of the information of the databroadcast received by the receiver during the first reception by thereceiver.

In this case, the control information is created at the time of a changein some of the information of the data broadcast received during thefirst reception.

The first reception may take place before a receiving channel ischanged, and the second reception may take place after the receivingchannel is changed.

In this case, the data broadcast can be reproduced, using the datacontent stored in the second storage after the receiving channel ischanged, so that the user can view, after the receiving channel ischanged, the data broadcast he or she has been viewing before thechannel change.

The given information included in the data content of data broadcastand/or the related information may include content-reference informationdescribed in a data script.

In this case, control information is created based on thecontent-reference information described in the data script.

A method for controlling the reproduction of data broadcast includingone or more data contents according to still another aspect of thepresent invention comprises the steps of: receiving data content of databroadcast and related information attached to the data broadcast;storing the data content of the received data broadcast into a firststorage; reproducing the data content of the data broadcast stored inthe first storage; creating control information for identifying the datacontent of the data broadcast based on given information included in thedata content of the received or reproduced data broadcast and/or therelated information; storing, during first reproduction, the datacontent of the data broadcast acquired from the first storage and thecontrol information corresponding to the data content into a secondstorage; determining, during second reproduction, whether or not thecontrol information stored in the second storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content of data broadcast to bereproduced coincide with each other; and controlling the reproductionsuch that the data broadcast is reproduced, using the data contentstored in the second storage, when it is determined that the controlinformation stored in the second storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content of the data broadcast to be reproducedcoincide with each other.

In the method for controlling data broadcast reproduction according tothe present invention, the data content of data broadcast and therelated information attached to the data broadcast are received, and thedata content of the received data broadcast is stored in the firststorage. In addition, the data content of the data broadcast stored inthe first storage is reproduced. Based on the given information includedin the data content of the received or reproduced data broadcast and/orthe related information, the control information for identifying thedata content of the data broadcast is created.

During the first reproduction, the data content of the data broadcastacquired from the first storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content are stored in the second storage.During the second reproduction, it is determined whether or not thecontrol information stored in the second storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content of the data broadcast tobe reproduced coincide with each other. When the control informationstored in the second storage and the control information correspondingto the data content of the data broadcast to be reproduced coincide witheach other, the data broadcast is reproduced, using the data contentstored in the second storage.

In this manner, during the second reproduction, the data broadcast isreproduced using the data content of the data broadcast stored in thesecond storage, so that the user can view the data broadcast he or shehas been viewing during the first reproduction continuously during thesecond reproduction.

A method for controlling the reproduction of data broadcast includingone or more data contents according to yet another aspect of the presentinvention comprises the steps of: receiving data content of databroadcast and related information attached to the data broadcast;storing the data content of the received data broadcast into a firststorage; reproducing the data content of the received data broadcast;creating control information for identifying the data content of thedata broadcast based on given information included in the data contentof the received data broadcast and/or the related information; storing,during first reception, the data content of the data broadcast acquiredfrom the first storage and the control information corresponding to thedata content into a second storage; determining, during secondreception, whether or not the control information stored in the secondstorage and the control information corresponding to the data content ofthe received data broadcast coincide with each other; and controllingthe reproduction such that the data broadcast is reproduced, using thedata content stored in the second storage, when it is determined thatthe control information stored in the second storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content of the received databroadcast coincide with each other.

In the method for controlling data broadcast reproduction according tothe present invention, the data content of data broadcast and therelated information attached to the data broadcast are received, and thedata content of the received data broadcast is stored in the firststorage. In addition, the data content of the received data broadcast isreproduced. Based on the given information included in the data contentof the received data broadcast and/or the related information, thecontrol information for identifying the data content of the databroadcast is created.

During the first reception, the data content of the data broadcastreceived from the first storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content are stored in the second storage.During the second reception, it is determined whether or not the controlinformation stored in the second storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content of the received data broadcastcoincide with each other. When the control information stored in thesecond storage and the control information corresponding to the datacontent of the received data broadcast coincide with each other, thedata broadcast is reproduced, using the data content stored in thesecond storage.

In this manner, during the second reproduction, the data broadcast isreproduced using the data content of the data broadcast stored in thesecond storage, so that the user can view the data broadcast he or shehas been viewing during the first reproduction continuously during thesecond reproduction.

A data broadcast reproduction control program according to still anotheraspect of the present invention, which is executable by a computer andcontrols the reproduction of data broadcast including one or more datacontents, allows the computer to execute the processes of: receivingdata content of data broadcast and related information attached to thedata broadcast; storing the data content of the received data broadcastinto a first storage; reproducing the data content of the data broadcaststored in the first storage; creating control information foridentifying the data content of the data broadcast based on giveninformation included in the data content of the received or reproduceddata broadcast and/or the related information; storing, during firstreproduction, the data content of the data broadcast acquired from thefirst storage and the control information corresponding to the datacontent into a second storage; determining, during second reproduction,whether or not the control information stored in the second storage andthe control information corresponding to the data content of databroadcast to be reproduced coincide with each other; and controlling thereproduction such that the data broadcast is reproduced, using the datacontent stored in the second storage, when it is determined that thecontrol information stored in the second storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content of the data broadcast tobe reproduced coincide with each other.

In the data broadcast reproduction control program according to thepresent invention, the data content of data broadcast and the relatedinformation attached to the data broadcast are received, and the datacontent of the received data broadcast is stored in the first storage.In addition, the data content of the data broadcast stored in the firststorage is reproduced. Based on the given information included in thedata content of the received or reproduced data broadcast and/or therelated information, the control information for identifying the datacontent of the data broadcast is created.

During the first reproduction, the data content of the data broadcastacquired from the first storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content are stored in the second storage.During the second reproduction, it is determined whether or not thecontrol information stored in the second storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content of the data broadcast tobe reproduced coincide with each other. When the control informationstored in the second storage and the control information correspondingto the data content of the data broadcast to be reproduced coincide witheach other, the data broadcast is reproduced, using the data contentstored in the second storage.

In this manner, during the second reproduction, the data broadcast isreproduced using the data content of the data broadcast stored in thesecond storage, so that the user can view the data broadcast he or shehas been viewing during the first reproduction continuously during thesecond reproduction.

A data broadcast reproduction control program according to yet anotheraspect of the present invention, which is executable by a computer andcontrols the reproduction of data broadcast including one or more datacontents, allows the computer to execute the processes of: receivingdata content of data broadcast and related information attached to thedata broadcast; storing the data content of the received data broadcastinto a first storage; reproducing the data content of the received databroadcast; creating control information for identifying the data contentof the data broadcast based on given information included in the datacontent of the received data broadcast and/or the related information;storing, during first reception, the data content of the data broadcastacquired from the first storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content into a second storage; determining,during second reception, whether or not the control information storedin the second storage and the control information corresponding to thedata content of the received data broadcast coincide with each other;and controlling the reproduction such that the data broadcast isreproduced, using the data content stored in the second storage, when itis determined that the control information stored in the second storageand the control information corresponding to the data content of thereceived data broadcast coincide with each other.

In the data broadcast reproduction control program according to thepresent invention, the data content of data broadcast and the relatedinformation attached to the data broadcast are received, and the datacontent of the received data broadcast is stored in the first storage.In addition, the data content of the received data broadcast isreproduced. Based on the given information included in the data contentof the received data broadcast and/or the related information, thecontrol information for identifying the data content of the databroadcast is created.

During the first reception, the data content of the data broadcastreceived from the first storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content are stored in the second storage.During the second reception, it is determined whether or not the controlinformation stored in the second storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content of the received data broadcastcoincide with each other. When the control information stored in thesecond storage and the control information corresponding to the datacontent of the received data broadcast coincide with each other, thedata broadcast is reproduced, using the data content stored in thesecond storage.

In this manner, during the second reproduction, the data broadcast isreproduced using the data content of the data broadcast stored in thesecond storage, so that the user can view the data broadcast he or shehas been viewing during the first reproduction continuously during thesecond reproduction.

A computer-readable recording medium according to still another aspectof the present invention in which a data broadcast reproduction controlprogram for controlling the reproduction of data broadcast including oneor more data contents is recorded, the data broadcast reproductioncontrol program allowing the computer to execute the processes of:receiving data content of data broadcast and related informationattached to the data broadcast; storing the data content of the receiveddata broadcast into a first storage; reproducing the data content of thedata broadcast stored in the first storage; creating control informationfor identifying the data content of the data broadcast based on giveninformation included in the data content of the received or reproduceddata broadcast and/or the related information; storing, during firstreproduction, the data content of the data broadcast acquired from thefirst storage and the control information corresponding to the datacontent into a second storage; determining, during second reproduction,whether or not the control information stored in the second storage andthe control information corresponding to the data content of databroadcast to be reproduced coincide with each other; and controlling thereproduction such that the data broadcast is reproduced, using the datacontent stored in the second storage, when it is determined that thecontrol information stored in the second storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content of the data broadcast tobe reproduced coincide with each other.

In the data broadcast reproduction control program recorded in therecording medium according to the present invention, the data content ofdata broadcast and the related information attached to the databroadcast are received, and the data content of the received databroadcast is stored in the first storage. In addition, the data contentof the data broadcast stored in the first storage is reproduced. Basedon the given information included in the data content of the received orreproduced data broadcast and/or the related information, the controlinformation for identifying the data content of the data broadcast iscreated.

During the first reproduction, the data content of the data broadcastacquired from the first storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content are stored in the second storage.During the second reproduction, it is determined whether or not thecontrol information stored in the second storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content of the data broadcast tobe reproduced coincide with each other. When the control informationstored in the second storage and the control information correspondingto the data content of the data broadcast to be reproduced coincide witheach other, the data broadcast is reproduced, using the data contentstored in the second storage.

In this manner, during the second reproduction, the data broadcast isreproduced using the data content of the data broadcast stored in thesecond storage, so that the user can view the data broadcast he or shehas been viewing during the first reproduction continuously during thesecond reproduction.

A computer-readable recording medium according to yet another aspect ofthe present invention in which a data broadcast reproduction controlprogram for controlling the reproduction of data broadcast including oneor more data contents is recorded, the data broadcast reproductioncontrol program allowing the computer to execute the processes of:receiving data content of data broadcast and related informationattached to the data broadcast; storing the data content of the receiveddata broadcast into a first storage; reproducing the data content of thereceived data broadcast; creating control information for identifyingthe data content of the data broadcast based on given informationincluded in the data content of the received data broadcast and/or therelated information; storing, during first reception, the data contentof the data broadcast acquired from the first storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content into a second storage;determining, during second reception, whether or not the controlinformation stored in the second storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content of the received data broadcastcoincide with each other; and controlling the reproduction such that thedata broadcast is reproduced, using the data content stored in thesecond storage, when it is determined that the control informationstored in the second storage and the control information correspondingto the data content of the received data broadcast coincide with eachother.

In the data broadcast reproduction control program recorded in therecording medium according to the present invention, the data content ofdata broadcast and the related information attached to the databroadcast are received, and the data content of the received databroadcast is stored in the first storage. In addition, the data contentof the received data broadcast is reproduced. Based on the giveninformation included in the data content of the received data broadcastand/or the related information, the control information for identifyingthe data content of the data broadcast is created.

During the first reception, the data content of the data broadcastreceived from the first storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content are stored in the second storage.During the second reception, it is determined whether or not the controlinformation stored in the second storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content of the received data broadcastcoincide with each other. When the control information stored in thesecond storage and the control information corresponding to the datacontent of the received data broadcast coincide with each other, thedata broadcast is reproduced, using the data content stored in thesecond storage.

In this manner, during the second reproduction, the data broadcast isreproduced using the data content of the data broadcast stored in thesecond storage, so that the user can view the data broadcast he or shehas been viewing during the first reproduction continuously during thesecond reproduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a digital broadcastreceiver that includes a data broadcast reproduction controlleraccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the input/outputinformation controller in the data broadcast reproduction controller ofFIG. 1:

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processes by the input/output informationcontroller during reception of data broadcast;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processes by the input/output informationcontroller during normal reproduction of data broadcast;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processes by the input/output controllerduring special reproduction and after the special reproduction isstopped;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processes by the input/output informationcontroller during reception of data broadcast;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processes by the input/outputinformation controller during normal reproduction;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processes by the input/outputinformation controller during special reproduction and after the specialreproduction is stopped;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processes by the input/output informationcontroller during reception of data broadcast; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processes by the input/output informationcontroller during reception of data broadcast.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (1) First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digitalbroadcast receiver that includes a data broadcast reproductioncontroller according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The digital broadcast receiver of FIG. 1 comprises a data broadcastreproduction controller 100 and a monitor 30. The data broadcastreproduction controller 100 includes a tuner 10, a digital demodulator11, an error correction circuit 12, a demultiplexer 13, an informationdecoder 14, a related information processor 15, an informationsynthesizer 16, an information output unit 17, an input/outputinformation controller 18, a first storage 19, and a second storage 20.

In digital broadcasting, the contents of television or audio broadcastand data broadcast are transmitted through a transmission path 1. Thecontent of the data broadcast will be referred to as data content.

The tuner 10 receives television or audio broadcast and data broadcast,and tunes to a digital-demodulated broadcast signal corresponding to thechannel selected by a user. The digital demodulator 12 demodulates thedigital-demodulated broadcast signal to a multiplexed signal. The errorcorrection circuit 12 corrects data errors which occur in thetransmission path and digital demodulator 12.

The demultiplexer 13 separates the multiplexed digital signal intoencoded video, audio, and data signals and related information. Notethat the related information includes such information as ElectronicProgram Guide (EPG) The information decoder 14 decodes the encodedvideo, audio, and data signals. The related information processor 15analyzes the related information supplied from the demultiplexer 13.

The information synthesizer 16 synthesizes the video signal, audiosignal, and data signal supplied from the information decoder 14 as wellas the related information supplied from the related informationprocessor 15 for creation of an image. The information output unit 17outputs the synthesized video, audio, and data signals, and relatedinformation to the monitor 30. The monitor 30 displays pictures of thetelevision or audio broadcast and the data broadcast while outputtingsounds, based on the synthesized video, audio, and data signals, andrelated information.

Note also that the information synthesizer 16 supplies the data contentof the data broadcast that includes a video signal, an audio signal, anda data signal to the input/output information controller 18, and createsprogram information, supplying the program information to theinput/output information controller 18.

The input/output information controller 18 creates control informationrelated to data broadcast based on the data content, programinformation, and information included in time information describedbelow which were supplied from the information synthesizer 16. Thecontrol information will later be detailed. This input/outputinformation controller 18 supplies the first storage 19 with the createdcontrol information along with the data content including the videosignal, audio signal, and data signal, while supplying the secondstorage 20 with the control information and data content.

The first storage 19, which is composed of a hard disc, for example,stores the data content of the data broadcast to be recorded, thecontrol information related to the data broadcast, and the like. Thesecond storage 20, which is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory),for example, temporarily stores the data content of the data broadcastbeing reproduced, the control information related to the data broadcast,and the like. The access speed of the second storage 20 is higher thanthat of the first storage 19.

Following description in this embodiment will be given of the recordingand reproduction of data broadcast, although the content of televisionor audio broadcast may instead be recorded into the first storage 19 forreproduction.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the input/outputinformation controller 18 in the data broadcast reproduction controller100 of FIG. 1.

In FIG. 2, the input/output information controller 18 includes a CPU(Central Processing Unit) 18 a, a program ROM (Read Only Memory) 18 b, awork RAM (Random Access Memory) 18 c, an information input/outputcircuit 18 d, a control information creator 18 e, a storage controller18 f, a comparison determiner 18 g, and a clock unit 18 h. The CPU 18 a,program ROM 18 b, work RAM 18 c, information input/output circuit 18 d,control information creator 18 e, storage controller 18 f, comparisondeterminer 18 g, and clock unit 18 h are connected to a system bus 18 ifor data transmission.

The program ROM 18 b stores a data broadcast reproduction controlprogram. The CPU 18 a writes, reads, retrieves, and computes a varietyof data in accordance with the data broadcast reproduction controlprogram stored in the program ROM 18 b, while controlling each componentinside the input/output information controller 18. The work RAM 18 ctemporarily stores a variety of data when the CPU 18 a performscomputations and control.

The information input/output circuit 18 d receives and transfers thedata content, control information, and the like between the informationsynthesizer 17 and the system bus 18 i. The data content include a datascript for data transmission.

The control information creator 18 e creates control information basedon information included in the data content input via the informationinput/output circuit 18 d and the program information as well as thetime information. More specifically, the control information creator 18e creates control information based on any combination ofcontent-reference information described in the data script of the databroadcast and the time information created by the clock unit 18 hdescribed below. The method of creating the control information willlater be detailed.

The storage controller 18 f writes the data content of the databroadcast input via the information input/output circuit 18 d, thecontrol information related to the data broadcast created by the controlinformation creator 18 e, and the like to the first storage 19 or secondstorage 20 or reads out the data content, the control information, andthe like stored in the first storage 19 or second storage 20. Inaddition, the storage controller 18 f writes the data content of thedata broadcast currently being reproduced and the control informationrelated to the data broadcast to the second storage 20 or reads out thedata content of the data broadcast and the control information stored inthe second storage 20.

The comparison determiner 18 g acquires the control information createdby the control information creator 18 e, while detecting a change ingiven information included in the data content of the data broadcastcurrently receiving and/or the related information, thereby controllingthe control information creator 18 e based on the detection result. Inaddition, the comparison determiner compares the control informationrelated to the data broadcast currently being reproduced with thecontrol information stored in the second storage 20. When theseinformations coincide with each other, it continues the reproduction ofthe data broadcast using the data content stored in the second storage20, whereas, when these do not coincide with each other, rebooting thedata broadcast. Note that the rebooting of data broadcast means toreproduce data broadcast from its beginning through the acquisition ofthe data content stored in the first storage 19.

The clock unit 18 h calculates the current time based on the electronicprogram guide and the like included in the related information to createtime information.

In this embodiment, during reception of data broadcast, the controlinformation related to the data broadcast thus created is stored, alongwith the data content, in the first storage 19.

The control information related to the data broadcast will now bedescribed. The control information uniquely identifies each of one ormore data contents included in the data broadcast that is being receivedby the data broadcast reproduction controller 100.

This control information is created using SI (Service Information) orPSI (Program Specific Information), i.e., the program informationcreated by the information synthesizer 16. More specifically, it iscreated using in part or all of a value of Module ID (module identifier)or Module Version of DII (Download Info Indication Message); timeinformation of TOT (Time Offset Table); time information created by theclock unit 18 h; version information of PMT (Program Map Table); ServiceID (service identifier); Network ID (network identifier); Transportstream ID, and the like.

Note that DII is transmission control information indicating a modulestructure, including Module ID, Module Version, and the like. TOT is atype of SI, indicating information on the current time and timedifference when summer time is in effect. PMT is a type of PSI,indicating PID (Packet Identifier), stream type identifier and the likeof components (pictures, sounds, and data) constituting a productionchannel. The service ID is a unique number to distinguish a productionchannel. The Network ID is a unique number to distinguish a network. TheTransport stream ID is a unique number to distinguish a transportstream.

Alternatively, the control information may be created using in part orall of the date/time described in the data script and timer informationindicating the current time; URI (Uniform Resource Indicator); contentinformation to which reference is made by the data broadcast, such asstill pictures, motion pictures, sounds, PNG (Portable NetworkGraphics), MNG (Multiple-image Network Graphics), and 8-unit code,constituting the screen; event information from a broadcast stationnotifying updates of the data broadcast being reproduced, and the like.

Note that URI indicates addressing to an object on the Internet. PNG andMNG are graphic symbols.

The control information thus created is stored, along with the timeinformation created by the clock unit 18 h, into the first storage 19.

As will be mentioned below, during reception of data broadcast, a changein given information included in the data content of the data broadcastand in the related information is detected. The given information hereis any one or more of the above information used for the creation of thecontrol information.

When a change in the given information is detected, and it is the updatetiming at each certain interval, the control information creator 18 ecreates control information for storage to the first storage 19. Innormal reproduction of the data content stored in the first storage 19,the data content and the control information of the data broadcast beingreproduced are stored into the second storage 20. In other words, thedata content and the control information stored in the second storage 20vary depending on the data broadcast being reproduced.

During special reproduction of the data content stored in the firststorage 19 or after the special reproduction, the control informationstored in the second storage 20 is compared with the control informationread out from the first storage 19 during the special reproduction orafter the special reproduction is stopped. When the control informationstored in the second storage 20 and the control information read outfrom the first storage 19 coincide with each other, the data broadcastcontinues to be reproduced, using the data content stored in the secondstorage 20. When the control information stored in the second storage 20and the control information read out from the first storage 19 do notcoincide with each other, the data content and control informationstored in the second storage 20 are discarded, with the result that thedata broadcast is rebooted based on the data content stored in the firststorage 19.

The control information is separated from a stream for storage into thefirst storage 19. In this case, it is not necessary to perform seekprocess for the control information during special reproduction, whichallows the data broadcast to be continuously reproduced even during thespecial reproduction. When the control information is separated from thestream to be stored in the first storage, synchronization with respectto the reproduction of the data content involves the use of the controlinformation along with the time information stored in the first storage19. The stored locations (recorded locations) of the control informationand the timing information in the first storage 19 are stored asrecording information in the first storage 19.

Description will hereinafter be given of processes by the input/outputinformation controller with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. The processes ofFIGS. 3 to 5 are performed under the control of the CPU 18 a inaccordance with the data broadcast reproduction control program storedin the program ROM 18 b.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processes by the input/outputinformation controller 18 during reception of data broadcast.

When reception of data broadcast is started, the data content aresupplied from the information input/output circuit 18 d to the storagecontroller 18 f via the system bus 18 i. The storage controller 18 fstarts storage of the data content into the first storage 19 (Step S1)to store the data content in the first storage 19 (Step S2).

The comparison determiner 18 g determines whether or not a change isdetected in given information of the data broadcast being received,while determining, based on the time information created by the clockunit 18 h, whether or not the current time is the update timing at eachcertain interval (Step S3).

When a change is detected in given information of the data broadcastbeing received or when the current time is the update timing, thecontrol information creator 18 e creates control information related tothe data broadcast being received (Step S4).

Further, the storage controller 18 f stores the control informationcreated by the control information creator 18 e in the first storage 19(Step S5).

After this, the CPU 18 a determines whether or not reception of the databroadcast will be continued (Step S6). When reception of the databroadcast will be continued, the CPU 18 a returns to Step S2 to repeatthe processes at Steps S2 to S6. When reception of the data broadcastwill not be continued, the CPU 18 a ends the processes.

In this manner, during reception of the data broadcast, the controlinformation related to the data broadcast, along with the data content,are stored in the first storage 19 at each certain interval and witheach change in given information of the data broadcast.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processes by the input/outputinformation controller 18 in normal reproduction of data broadcast.

When normal reproduction of data broadcast is started, the storagecontroller 18 f reads out the data content stored in the first storagealong with the control information. In this case, the comparisondeterminer 18 g determines whether or not a change is detected in giveninformation of the data broadcast being reproduced (Step S11).

When a change is detected in given information of the data broadcastbeing reproduced, the storage controller 18 f stores the data content ofthe data broadcast being reproduced into the second storage 20 (StepS12).

In addition, the storage controller 18 f stores the control informationrelated to the data broadcast being reproduced into the second storage20 (Step S13).

After this, the CPU 18 a determines whether or not the reproduction ofthe data broadcast will be continued (Step S14). When the reproductionof the data broadcast will be continued, the CPU 18 a returns to Step 11to repeat the processes at Steps S11 to S14. When the reproduction ofthe data broadcast will not be continued, the CPU 18 a ends theprocesses.

In this manner, during the reproduction of the data broadcast, at thetime of a change detected in given information of the data broadcast,the data content and the control information of the data broadcast beingreproduced are temporarily stored in the second storage 20.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processes by the input/outputinformation controller 18 during and after special reproduction of databroadcast.

Note that the special reproduction here means reproduction at adifferent speed from that of the normal reproduction, includingfast-forwarding/rewinding of the data content.

During or after the reproduction of data broadcast, the storagecontroller 18 f determines whether or not the control informationrelated to the data broadcast to be reproduced is stored in the firststorage 19 (Step S21). When the control information is stored in thefirst storage 19, the storage controller 18 f acquires the controlinformation from the first storage 19 for storage at a first location inthe work RAM 18 c (Step S22).

In addition, the storage controller 18 f determines whether or not thedata content and the control information are stored in the secondstorage 20 (Step S23). When the data content and the control informationare stored in the second storage 19, the storage controller 18 facquires the data content and the control information from the secondstorage 20 for storage at a second storage location in the work RAM18 c(Step S24).

Further, the comparison determiner 18 g determines whether or not thecontrol information stored at the first storage location in the workRAM18 c coincides with the control information stored at the secondstorage location (Step S25).

When these pieces of control information coincide with each other, theCPU 18 a continues with the reproduction of the data broadcast, usingthe data content acquired from the second storage 20, to display acontinuation of the data broadcast on the monitor 30 (Step S26).

When these pieces of control information do not coincide with eachother, the CPU 18 a reboots the data broadcast (Step S27).

The data broadcast is rebooted also when, at Step S21, the controlinformation to be reproduced related to the data broadcast is not storedin the first storage 19, and when, at Step S23, the data content and thecontrol information are not stored in the second storage 19.

In this manner, during reception of data broadcast, the data content andthe control information are stored in the first storage 19, and the datacontent and the control information are stored in the second storage 20during normal reproduction of the data broadcast, so that the databroadcast can be quickly reproduced using the data content stored in thesecond storage 20 without rebooting the data broadcast during and afterspecial reproduction. This allows a user to continuously view, duringand after special reproduction, the data broadcast he or she has beenviewing before the special reproduction. Hence, a data broadcast serviceof a higher degree of usability is provided.

(2) Second Embodiment

The structures of a data broadcast reproduction controller according toa second embodiment and a digital broadcast receiver that includes thesame, and the structure of the input/output information controller aresimilar to the structures shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In this embodiment, during reception of data broadcast, the data contentis stored in the first storage 19. In normal reproduction of the datacontent stored in the first storage 19, a change in given information ofthe data broadcast is detected. When a change in given information isdetected, control information is created by the control informationcreator 18 e, and the data content and control information of the databroadcast being reproduced are stored in the second storage 20. Thecontrol information is similar to that in the first embodiment.

During or after special reproduction of the data content stored in thefirst storage 19, the control information stored in the second storage20 is compared with the control information read out from the firststorage 19 during or after the special reproduction. When the controlinformation stored in the second storage 20 and the control informationread out from the first storage 19 coincide with each other, the databroadcast continues to be reproduced using the data content stored inthe second storage 20. When the control information stored in the secondstorage 20 and the control information read out from the first storage19 do not coincide with each other, the data content and the controlinformation stored in the second storage 20 are discarded, with theresult that the data broadcast is rebooted based on the data contentstored in the first storage 19.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 8, processes by the input/output informationcontroller 18 will be described. The processes of FIGS. 6 to 8 areperformed under the control of the CPU 18 a in accordance with the databroadcast reproduction program stored in the work RAM 18 c.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processes by the input/outputinformation controller 18 during reception of data broadcast.

When reception of data broadcast is started, the data content issupplied via the information input/output circuit 18 d to the storagecontroller 18 f. The storage controller 18 f starts storage of the datacontent into the first storage 19 (Step S31) to store the data contentin the first storage 19 (Step S32).

After this, the CPU 18 a determines whether or not reception of the databroadcast will be continued (Step S33). When reception of the databroadcast will be continued, the CPU 18 a returns to Step S32 to repeatthe processes at Steps S32 to S33. When reception of the data broadcastwill not be continued, the CPU 18 a ends the processes.

In this manner, during reception of the data broadcast, the data contentis stored in the first storage 19.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processes by the input/outputinformation controller 18 in normal reproduction of data broadcast.

When normal reproduction of data broadcast is started, the storagecontroller 18 f reads out the data content stored in the first storage19. The comparison determiner 18 g determines whether or not a change ingiven information of the data broadcast being reproduced is detected(Step S41).

When a change in given information of the data broadcast beingreproduced is detected, the data content of the data broadcast beingreproduced is stored in the second storage 20 (Step S42).

Also, the control information creator 18 e creates control informationrelated to the data broadcast being reproduced (Step S43).

In addition, the storage controller 18 f stores the control informationcreated by the control information creator 18 e in the second storage 20(Step S44).

After this, the CPU 18 a determines whether or not the reproduction ofthe data broadcast will be continued (Step S45). When the reproductionof the data broadcast will be continued, the CPU 18 a returns to StepS42 to repeat the processes at Steps S41 to S45. When the reproductionof the data broadcast will not be continued, the CPU 18 a ends theprocesses.

In this manner, during the reproduction of the data broadcast, the datacontent and control information of the data broadcast being reproducedare, when a change is detected in given information, temporarily storedin the second storage 20.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processes by the input/outputinformation controller 18 during and after special reproduction of databroadcast.

During or after special reproduction of data broadcast, the storagecontroller 18 f acquires the data content of the data broadcast to bereproduced from the first storage 19 (Step S51). Also, the controlinformation creator 18 e creates control information related to the databroadcast based on the data content acquired from the first storage 19,for storage at a first storage location in the work RAM 18 c (Step S52).

In addition, the storage controller 18 f determines whether or not thedata content and the control information are stored in the secondstorage 20 (Step S53). When the data content and the control informationare stored in the second storage 20, the storage controller 18 facquires the control information from the second storage 20 for storageat a second location in the work RAM 18 c (Step S54).

Moreover, the comparison determiner 18 g determines whether or not thecontrol information stored at the first storage location in the work RAM18 c and the control information stored at the second storage locationcoincide with each other (Step S55).

When these pieces of control information coincide with each other, theCPU 18 a continues the reproduction of the data broadcast using the datacontent acquired from the second storage 20 to display a continuation ofthe data broadcast on the monitor 30 (Step S56).

When these pieces of control information do not coincide with eachother, the CPU 18 a reboots the data broadcast (Step S57).

The data broadcast is rebooted also when, at Step S53, the data contentand the control information of the data broadcast are not stored in thesecond storage 20.

In this manner, in normal operation of the data broadcast, the datacontent and the control information are stored in the second storage 20,so that the data broadcast can be quickly reproduced using the datacontent stored in the second storage 20 without rebooting the databroadcast during special reproduction and after the special reproductionis stopped. This allows a user to continuously view, during and afterspecial reproduction, the data broadcast he or she has been viewingbefore the special reproduction. Hence, a data broadcast service of ahigher degree of usability is provided.

(3) Third Embodiment

The structures of a data broadcast reproduction controller according toa third embodiment and a digital broadcast receiver that includes thesame, and the structure of the input/output information controller aresimilar to the structures shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The controlinformation is similar to that in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, during reception of the data content of databroadcast, a change in given information of the data broadcast isdetected. When a change is detected in given information, controlinformation is created by the control information creator 18 e, so thatthe data content and the control information are stored in the secondstorage 20.

When the receiving channel of the data broadcast is changed, controlinformation is created based on the data content being received andrelated information. The control information stored in the secondstorage 20 is compared with the created control information. When thecontrol information stored in the second storage 20 and the createdcontrol information coincide with each other, the data broadcastcontinues to be reproduced using the data content stored in the secondstorage 20. When the control information stored in the second storage 20and the created control information do not coincide with each other, thedata content and the control information stored in the second storageare discarded, and the data content of the data broadcast is reacquired.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the processes by the input/outputinformation controller 18 will be described. The processes of FIGS. 9and 10 are performed under the control of the CPU 18 a in accordancewith the reproduction control program stored in the program ROM 18 b.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the processes by the input/outputinformation controller 18 during reception of data broadcast.

When reception of data broadcast is started, the data content issupplied from the information input/output circuit 18 d via the systembus 18 i to the storage controller 18 f. The control information creator18 e starts storage of the data content into the first storage 19 (StepS61) to store the data content in the first storage 19 (Step S62).

The comparison determiner 18 g determines whether or not a change ingiven information of the data broadcast being received is detected (StepS63).

When a change in given information of the data broadcast being receivedis detected, the storage controller 18 f stores the data content of thedata broadcast being received into the second storage 20 (Step S64).

Also, the control information creator 18 e creates control informationrelated to the data broadcast being received (Step S65).

In addition, the storage controller 18 f stores the control informationcreated by the control information creator 18 e into the second storage20 (Step S66).

After this, the CPU 18 a determines whether or not reception of the databroadcast will be continued (Step S67). When reception of the databroadcast will be continued, the CPU 18 a determines whether or not thechannel of the data broadcast being received is changed (Step S68).

When the channel of the data broadcast being received is changed, theCPU 18 a acquires the data content of the data broadcast being receivedfor storage at a first storage location in the work RAM 18 c (Step S69).The control information creator 18 e creates control information basedon the acquired data content and the related information (Step S70).

The storage controller 18 f determines whether or not the data contentand the control information are stored in the second storage 20 (StepS71).

When the data content and the control information are stored in thesecond storage 20, the storage controller 18 f acquires the controlinformation from the second storage 20 for storage at a second locationin the work RAM 18 c (Step S72).

In addition, the comparison determiner 18 g determines whether or notthe control information stored at the first storage location in the workRAM 18 c and the control information stored at the second storagelocation coincide with each other (Step S73).

When these pieces of control information coincide with each other, theCPU 18 a continues the reproduction of the data broadcast using the datacontent stored in the second storage 20 (Step S74), and returns to StepS62.

When these pieces of control information do not coincide with eachother, the CPU 18 a performs reacquisition of the data content of thedata broadcast (Step S75), and returns to Step S62.

In this manner, during reception of the data broadcast, the data contentand the control information are stored in the second storage 20, so thatwhen the channel of the data broadcast is changed, it is possible toquickly reproduce the data broadcast that has been previously received,using the data content stored in the second storage 20 withoutreacquisition of the data content of the data broadcast. This allows auser, when he or she has switched a channel, to continuously view thedata broadcast that he or she has been previously viewing. Hence, a databroadcast service of a higher degree of usability is provided.

(4) Other Modifications

The method of forming the control information is not limited to thosedescribed above: the formation of the control information may also beaccomplished using other information of the program information andother data values described in the data script, with the result of asimilar effect.

Alternatively, single or a plurality of control information may becreated for the data broadcast being reproduced. For example, bycreating control information for each data ES (Elementary Stream) andcomparing control information for each data ES, the reproduction controlfor each data ES can be accomplished.

In the above-described first embodiment, when a change in giveninformation is detected during the reproduction of the data broadcast,the data content and the control information of the data broadcast arestored in the second storage 20; however, the data content and thecontrol information of the data broadcast may be stored in advanceduring the reproduction of the data broadcast.

In addition, in each of the above first embodiment to third embodiment,the first storage 19 is composed of a hard disc, and the second storage20 is composed of a RAM; however, the first storage 19 and the secondstorage 20 may each be composed of any of various kinds of recordingmediums including a non-volatile memory such as a flash ROM or EEPROM(Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) or an opticalrecording medium such as a DVD (Digital Video Disc), with the result ofa similar effect to that obtained in each of the above embodiments.

Moreover, in each of the above first embodiment to third embodiment, thedata broadcast reproduction control program for controlling theinput/output information controller 18 is stored in the program ROM 18 bas a recording medium; however, the data broadcast reproduction controlprogram may be recorded in other kind of recording medium, such as afloppy disc, a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, DVD, or a memory card. In thiscase, the CPU 18 a reads the data broadcast reproduction control programfrom the recording medium for execution.

With the data broadcast reproduction control program being recorded insuch a recording medium, transfer of the data broadcast reproductioncontrol program is enabled, so that the reproduction control as in theabove embodiments may be performed even on other independent apparatussuch as a personal computer.

Furthermore, each of the components in the data broadcast reproductioncontroller 100 may be composed of hardware such as an electroniccircuit, or an information processor such as a CPU with software.

In each of the above embodiments, the tuner 10, digital demodulator 11,demultiplexer 13, information decoder 14, related information processor15, and information synthesizer 16 correspond to a receiver. Theinformation output unit 17 corresponds to a reproducer; the firststorage 19 corresponds to a first storage; the second storage 20corresponds to a second storage; the control information creator 18 ecorresponds to a control information creator; the comparison determiner18 g corresponds to a determiner; and the CPU and the storage controller18 f correspond to a controller.

1. A data broadcast reproduction controller for controlling thereproduction of data broadcast including one or more data contents,comprising: a receiver that receives data content of data broadcast andrelated information attached to said data broadcast; a first storagethat stores the data content of the data broadcast received by saidreceiver; a reproducer that reproduces the data content of the databroadcast stored in said first storage; a control information creatorthat creates control information for identifying the data content of thedata broadcast based on given information included in the data contentof the data broadcast received by said receiver or reproduced by saidreproducer, and/or the related information; a second storage thatstores, during first reproduction by said reproducer, the data contentof the data broadcast acquired from said first storage and controlinformation corresponding to the data content; a determiner thatdetermines, during a second reproduction by said reproducer, whether ornot the control information stored in said second storage and thecontrol information corresponding to the data content of data broadcastto be reproduced coincide with each other; and a controller thatcontrols said reproducer to reproduce the data broadcast, using the datacontent stored in said second storage, when said determiner determinesthat the control information stored in said second storage and thecontrol information corresponding to said data content of the databroadcast to be reproduced coincide with each other, and that controlssaid reproducer to reboot the data broadcast, using the data contentstored in said first storage when said determiner determines that thecontrol information stored in said second storage and the controlinformation corresponding to said data content of the data broadcast tobe reproduced do not coincide with each other.
 2. The data broadcastreproduction controller according to claim 1, wherein said controlinformation creator creates control information based on giveninformation included in the data content of the data broadcast receivedby said receiver, and/or the related information, to store said createdcontrol information to said first storage.
 3. The data broadcastreproduction controller according to claim 2, wherein said controlinformation creator creates control information at the time of a changein at least some of the information of the data broadcast received bysaid receiver or at given update timing.
 4. The data broadcastreproduction controller according to claim 2, wherein said controlinformation creator stores, during said first reproduction by saidreproducer, the data content of the data broadcast acquired from saidfirst storage and the control information corresponding to the datacontent into said second storage.
 5. The data broadcast reproductioncontroller according to claim 4, wherein said control informationcreator stores, at the time of a change in at least some of theinformation of the data broadcast reproduced during said firstreproduction by said reproducer, the data content of the data broadcastacquired from said first storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content into said second storage.
 6. The databroadcast reproduction controller according to claim 4, wherein saiddeterminer determines, during said second reproduction by saidreproducer, whether or not the control information stored in said secondstorage and the control information stored in said first storagecoincide with each other.
 7. The data broadcast reproduction controlleraccording to claim 5, wherein said determiner determines, during saidsecond reproduction by said reproducer, whether or not the controlinformation stored in said second storage and the control informationstored in said first storage coincide with each other.
 8. The databroadcast reproduction controller according to claim 1, wherein saidcontrol information creator creates, during said first reproduction bysaid reproducer, control information based on given information includedin the data content of the data broadcast acquired from said firststorages, and/or the related information, to store the created controlinformation into said second storage.
 9. The data broadcast reproductioncontroller according to claim 8, wherein said control informationcreator stores, at the time of a change in at least some of theinformation of the data broadcast reproduced during said firstreproduction by said reproducer, the data content of the data broadcastacquired from said first storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content into said second storage.
 10. The databroadcast reproduction controller according to claim 8, wherein saidcontrol information creator creates, during said second reproduction bysaid reproducer, control information based on given information includedin the data content of the data broadcast acquired from said firststorage and/or the related information, and said determiner determines,during said second reproduction by said reproducer, whether or not thecontrol information stored in said second storage and the controlinformation created by said control information creator coincide witheach other.
 11. The data broadcast reproduction controller according toclaim 1, wherein said second reproduction includes reproduction at adifferent speed from that of said first reproduction.
 12. The databroadcast reproduction controller according to claim 1, wherein saidgiven information included in the data content of data broadcast, and/orthe related information includes content-reference information describedin a data script.
 13. A data broadcast reproduction controller forcontrolling the reproduction of data broadcast including one or moredata contents, comprising: a receiver that receives data content of databroadcast and related information attached to said data broadcast; afirst storage that stores the data content of the data broadcastreceived by said receiver; a reproducer that reproducers the datacontent of the data broadcast received by said receiver; a controlinformation creator that creates control information for identifying thedata content of the data broadcast based on given information includedin the data content of the data broadcast received by said receiver,and/or the related information; a second storage that stores, duringfirst reception by said receiver, the data content of the data broadcastacquired from said first storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content; a determiner that determines, duringsecond reception by said receiver, whether or not the controlinformation stored in said second storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content of the data broadcast received by saidreceiver coincide with each other; and a controller that controls saidreproducer to reproduce data broadcast, using the data content stored insaid second storage, when said determiner determines that the controlinformation stored in said second storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content of the data broadcast received by saidreceiver coincide with each other, and that controls said reproducer toreboot the data broadcast, using the data content stored in said firststorage when said determiner determines that the control informationstored in said second storage and the control information correspondingto said data content of the data broadcast to be reproduced does notcoincide with each other.
 14. The data broadcast reproduction controlleraccording to claim 13, wherein said control information creator createscontrol information at the time of a change in at least some of theinformation of the data broadcast received by said receiver during saidfirst reception by said receiver.
 15. The data broadcast reproductioncontroller according to claim 13, wherein said first reception takesplace before a receiving channel is changed, and said second receptiontakes place after the receiving channel is changed.
 16. The databroadcast reproduction controller according to claim 13, wherein saidgiven information included in the data content of data broadcasts,and/or the related information includes content-reference informationdescribed in a data script.
 17. A method for controlling thereproduction of data broadcast including one or more data contents,comprising: receiving data content of data broadcast and relatedinformation attached to said data broadcast; storing the data content ofsaid received data broadcast into a first storage; reproducing the datacontent of the data broadcast stored in said first storage; creatingcontrol information for identifying the data content of the databroadcast based on given information included in the data content ofsaid received or reproduced data broadcast and/or the relatedinformation; storing, during first reproduction, the data content of thedata broadcast acquired from said first storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content into a second storage;determining, during second reproduction, whether or not the controlinformation stored in said second storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content of data broadcast to be reproducedcoincide with each other; and controlling the reproduction such that thedata broadcast is reproduced, using the data content stored in saidsecond storage, when it is determined that the control informationstored in said second storage and the control information correspondingto the data content of said data broadcast to be reproduced coincidewith each other, and controlling the reproduction such that the databroadcast is rebooted, using the data content stored in said firststorage when it is determined that the control information stored insaid second storage and the control information corresponding to saiddata content of the data broadcast to be reproduced does not coincidewith each other.
 18. A method for controlling the reproduction of databroadcast including one or more data contents, comprising: receivingdata content of data broadcast and related information attached to saiddata broadcast; storing the data content of said received data broadcastinto a first storage; reproducing the data content of said received databroadcast; creating control information for identifying the data contentof the data broadcast based on given information included in the datacontent of said received data broadcast and/or the related information;storing, during first reception, the data content of the data broadcastacquired from said first storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content into a second storage; determining,during second reception, whether or not the control information storedin said second storage and the control information corresponding to thedata content of said received data broadcast coincide with each other;and controlling the reproduction such that the data broadcast isreproduced, using the data content stored in said second storage, whenit is determined that the control information stored in said secondstorage and the control information corresponding to the data content ofsaid received data broadcast coincide with each other, and controllingthe reproduction such that the data broadcast is rebooted, using thedata content stored in said first storage when it is determined that thecontrol information stored in said second storage and the controlinformation corresponding to said data content of the data broadcast tobe reproduced does not coincide with each other.
 19. A data broadcastreproduction control program which is executable by a computer andcontrols the reproduction of data broadcast including one or more datacontents, said data broadcast reproduction control program allowing saidcomputer to execute the processes of: receiving data content of databroadcast and related information attached to said data broadcast;storing the data content of said received data broadcast into a firststorage; reproducing the data content of the data broadcast stored insaid first storage; creating control information for identifying thedata content of the data broadcast based on given information includedin the data content of said received or reproduced data broadcast,and/or the related information; storing, during first reproduction, thedata content of the data broadcast acquired from said first storage andthe control information corresponding to the data content into a secondstorage; determining, during second reproduction, whether or not thecontrol information stored in said second storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content of data broadcast to bereproduced coincide with each other; and controlling the reproductionsuch that the data broadcast is reproduced, using the data contentstored in said second storage, when it is determined that the controlinformation stored in said second storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content of said data broadcast to bereproduced coincide with each other, and controlling the reproductionsuch that the data broadcast is rebooted, using the data content storedin said first storage when it is determined that the control informationstored in said second storage and the control information correspondingto said data content of the data broadcast to be reproduced does notcoincide with each other.
 20. A data broadcast reproduction controlprogram which is executable by a computer and controls the reproductionof data broadcast including one or more data contents, said databroadcast reproduction control program allowing said computer to executethe processes of: receiving data content of data broadcast and relatedinformation attached to said data broadcast; storing the data content ofsaid received data broadcast into a first storage; reproducing the datacontent of said received data broadcast; creating control informationfor identifying the data content of the data broadcast based on giveninformation included in the data content of said received databroadcast, and/or the related information; storing, during firstreception, the data content of the data broadcast acquired from saidfirst storage and the control information corresponding to the datacontent into a second storage; determining, during second reception,whether or not the control information stored in said second storage andthe control information corresponding to the data content of saidreceived data broadcast coincide with each other; and controlling thereproduction such that the data broadcast is reproduced, using the datacontent stored in said second storage, when it is determined that thecontrol information stored in said second storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content of said received databroadcast coincide with each other, and controlling the reproductionsuch that the data broadcast is rebooted, using the data content storedin said first storage when it is determined that the control informationstored in said second storage and the control information correspondingto said data content of the data broadcast to be reproduced does notcoincide with each other.
 21. A computer-readable recording medium inwhich a data broadcast reproduction control program for controlling thereproduction of data broadcast including one or more data contents isrecorded, said data broadcast reproduction control program allowing saidcomputer to execute the processes of: receiving data content of databroadcast and related information attached to said data broadcast;storing the data content of said received data broadcast into a firststorage; reproducing the data content of the data broadcast stored insaid first storage; creating control information for identifying thedata content of the data broadcast based on given information includedin the data content of said received or reproduced data broadcast and/orthe related information; storing, during first reproduction, the datacontent of the data broadcast acquired from said first storage and thecontrol information corresponding to the data content into a secondstorage; determining, during second reproduction, whether or not thecontrol information stored in said second storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content of data broadcast to bereproduced coincide with each other; and controlling the reproductionsuch that the data broadcast is reproduced, using the data contentstored in said second storage, when it is determined that the controlinformation stored in said second storage and the control informationcorresponding to the data content of said data broadcast to bereproduced coincide with each other, and controlling the reproductionsuch that the data broadcast is rebooted, using the data content storedin said first storage when it is determined that the control informationstored in said second storage and the control information correspondingto said data content of the data broadcast to be reproduced does notcoincide with each other.
 22. A computer-readable recording medium inwhich a data broadcast reproduction control program for controlling thereproduction of data broadcast including one or more data contents isrecorded, said data broadcast reproduction control program allowing saidcomputer to execute the processes of: receiving data content of databroadcast and related information attached to said data broadcast;storing the data content of said received data broadcast into a firststorage; reproducing the data content of said received data broadcast;creating control information for identifying the data content of thedata broadcast based on given information included in the data contentof said received data broadcast and/or the related information; storing,during first reception, the data content of the data broadcast acquiredfrom said first storage and the control information corresponding to thedata content into a second storage; determining, during secondreception, whether or not the control information stored in said secondstorage and the control information corresponding to the data content ofsaid received data broadcast coincide with each other; and controllingthe reproduction such that the data broadcast is reproduced, using thedata content stored in said second storage, when it is determined thatthe control information stored in said second storage and the controlinformation corresponding to the data content of said received databroadcast coincide with each other, and controlling the reproductionsuch that the data broadcast is rebooted, using the data content storedin said first storage when it is determined that the control informationstored in said second storage and the control information correspondingto said data content of the data broadcast to be reproduced does notcoincide with each other.